Benefits and Absence Partner
JOB TITLE: Benefits and Absence Partner
SALARY GRADE: HH
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Benefits Manager
JOB SUMMARY
The Benefits and Absence Partner contributes to the implementation of PCC’s comprehensive benefits and leaves programs as a member of the Total Rewards team. This includes coordinating benefits services and offerings, providing support to a diverse workforce around programs and offerings, and ensuring benefits programs are compliant with related laws and policies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinates new employee and annual benefit enrollment process and facilitates enrollment of employees in benefit programs.
- Works collaboratively with external brokers and vendors to ensure benefits enrollment information is current, resolve issues, and/or get clarification on contract provisions.
- Process a variety of leaves and/or claims, including long-term disability, life insurance, family medical leave, and/or other applicable events.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Administers PCC’s new hire and annual benefits enrollment, providing accessible resources and training on benefits and leaves options.
- Coordinates Leave of Absence programs through FMLA, OFLA, leaves available through the collective bargaining agreement, and Paid Leave Oregon managed through a third-party administrator.
- Provides communication, materials, and training to ensure employees have access to information and support in many forms, including through in-person sessions at various campuses, on-demand information and training, and other resources that help employees navigate benefits offerings, open enrollment, and employee wellness resources.
- Collaborates with cross-functional Business Partners, including Risk Management, Benefit Vendors, Payroll, ADA Coordinator, Managers, and People Partners to maintain alignment and compliance in managing the company’s leave of absence laws and policies.
- Serves as liaison and subject matter expert between OEBB, benefit vendors, and employees and their dependents, ensuring timely, equitable, and courteous resolution to questions, problems, and issues; responds to inquiries from employees and/or their dependents regarding policies and procedures related to benefits and retirement.
- Assists with retirement processing of employees.
- Collaborates with Payroll to ensure benefits-related payroll changes are processed accurately and timely and contributes to effective shared Payroll-Benefits processes.
- Contributes to continuous evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of process and resource improvement aimed at increasing equity, clarity, and accessibility.
- Provides prompt communication about Benefits and Leave of Absence information, updates, and decisions to employees, Payroll, management, and other stakeholders.
- Actively participates in and informs well-being committee efforts and PCC well-being priorities.
- Provides individualized support and tailored customer service to promptly respond to questions and resolve issues.
- Maintains knowledge of industry best practices, existing and proposed laws and policies, emerging themes, and trends to further PCC’s endeavors to become an employer of choice.
- Assists in strategic planning, employee and labor relations, system improvements, and People Strategy, Equity, and Culture division planning and development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or equivalent. Two years of experience working in a Benefits and/or Absence specific Human Resources position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Exceptional customer service skills including the ability to understand needs and challenges, explore potential options, respond with empathy, and tailor support and resources to best support the needs of the situation.
- Good organization, follow through and time management skills; ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; accomplish work in order of priority while professionally maintaining composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.
- Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and levels in an organization.
- Outstanding attention to detail to review, process, and provide information with accuracy, consistency, and in compliance with laws, policies, and procedures.
- Understanding of protected health information confidentiality regulations, ability to communicate confidentially and maintain confidential records.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources.
- PHR or SHRM-CP certification.
- CBP or CEBS certification.
- Workday experience.